The Jaffna franchise of Lanka Premier League (LPL) has been acquired by Anchor Sports AB, a Stockholm-based global sports ownership group. Zaheer Khan, a former India pacer, is a co-owner of the franchise.
Post the acquisition, the franchise, previously known as Jaffna Kings, has officially been rebranded as ‘Anchor Jaffna Kings’, marking the beginning of a new chapter under its new ownership.
Nagendra Siddoutam, owner of Anchor Sports, alongside Zaheer, has taken over the franchise as part of the group’s continued expansion in global cricket.Anchor Sports’ already owns the Antwerp Anchors in the European T20 Premier League (Belgium) and the Vancouver Anchors men’s and women’s teams in Canada’s Super 60 League.
Jaffna are currently in the top 2 of the LPL points table.
Welcoming Anchor Sports, Anil Mohan, Chairman and CEO of Innovative Production Group, the tournament rights holder, said: “We welcome Anchor Sports on board and to the LPL family as they take over the iconic Jaffna franchise. Jaffna has been a legendary team in the six-year history of the league, winning four championship titles and setting the benchmark for excellence. We are confident that Anchors Sports will build on this remarkable legacy, bring fresh vision and energy to the franchise and continue to elevate the standard of the Lanka Premier League. We look forward to an exciting new chapter for Jaffna and wish the new ownership every success.”
Zaheer Khan, co-owner at Anchor Sports, said: “I’ve always admired the calibre, innovation and variety of bowling talent that comes out of Sri Lanka — it’s a country I’ve visited, competed in, and hold very fond memories of. To now be part of Sri Lankan cricket as an owner is something I’m genuinely thrilled about, and I can’t wait to get started with the Jaffna Anchors,” Zaheer said in a statement.
Samantha Dodanwela, Tournament Director, Lanka Premier League, said: “Having an owner of Zaheer Khan’s calibre involved with the Jaffna Anchor is a real boost for the league. The mentorship and direction he can offer our young Sri Lankan players will be enormous, and we’re excited to see that experience passed on both on and off the field.”
